OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: Beer, ice cream, fireworks, puppets and more

  ](http://www.flickr.com/photos/photogriff-ottawa/6122502346/)

** _ Here are our crowdsourced picks for the best local events in Ottawa this week. _ **

_ _

**

** ** Thursday, August 9: above/ground press 19th anniversary party & chapbook launch **

7pm at Mercury Lounge (56 Byward).  Poetry readings at 7:30pm by Cameron Anstee, Stephen Brockwell, Amanda Earl, Marilyn Irwin; $5 includes a free chapbook. Ottawa small press stalwart rob mclennan celebrates another year of publishing emerging and established poets. i’ll be reading from my new chapbook “Sex First & Then A Sandwich”

_

Amanda Earl , poet & publisher _

** Friday, August 10: Treepot3 Under the Stars **

The 3rd Treepot Indie Filmmaker Showcase takes place outdoors in Dundonald Park (512 Somerset St. W.), with 11 short films and videos by local filmmakers. I’ve seen just one of the films before, Poetry in Motion (featuring Ottawa performance poet Brandon Wint), and it’s incredibly powerful. The showcase is presented in collaboration with Centretown Movies and the City of Ottawa, is free, and starts at 9 p.m.; organizers suggest bringing a lawn chair or something to sit on.

_

Denise Deby , Green Living Ottawa _

** Friday, August 10: John MacLeod’s Big Band at Carleton University or Anna Webber’s Montreal People at Pressed **

You can pick large or small for jazz on Friday. The large option is a 20-piece big band at the Carleton University Jazz Camp. Toronto trumpeter John MacLeod has brought his charts and several of his musicians from his Rex Hotel Jazz Orchestra, and a slew of Ottawa musicians will be showing how well they can rise to the challenge of McLeod’s music. It’s only $10 to hear a sound that really will fill Kailash Mital Theatre at Carleton University. The small option is a quartet (without bass) led by New York-based flute and saxophone player Anna Webber. Expect lots of improvisation and some new ideas within the jazz tradition, as they play at Pressed, a small restaurant on Gladstone Avenue, two blocks west of Bronson Avenue.

_ – Alayne McGregor, OttawaJazzScene.ca _

**

Friday-Sunday,  August 10-12:
[
 Ottawa African Festival
](http://africanfestival.org/)

**

The fourth annual Ottawa African Festival presented by the Pan-Afrikan Coalition of Canada in collaboration with CHUO FM starts this Friday. This year’s edition will showcase live performances by some of the biggest names in African music like South-African singer Lorraine Klaasen, Kenyan singer Sarah Kariuki and Congolese musician Awilo Longomba. The three-day event is a unique opportunity to hear live African music and to experience the rich culture of this majestic continent.

_

Eliane Laberge , blogger _

**

** ** Friday, August 10: National Capital Craft Beer Week

** Ottawa’s first Craft Beer Week (August 10-18) kicks off with a party at D’Arcy McGee’s pub (44 Sparks Street). Brewers and other special guests, as well as live music by André and the J-tones. Plus, there will be lots of giveaways and, of course, beer! Admission is FREE! You can bet I’ll be there. The event runs from 6-9 pm.

_

Ross Brown , blogger/writer/author/photog _

**

** ** Friday, August 10: Golf Tournament at Larrimac Golf Club **

Before you know it your golf season will be over - so why not play a scramble? There will be lots of prizes including a Jack Daniels golf bag! Cost is $20 to walk, or $30 with a cart. People can sign up by emailing deek@thelaff.ca

_

Laura Nicol _

**

** ** Saturday, August 11: Ottawa International Antique & Classic Boat Show ** Celebrating its 37th year, this annual show showcasing the boats of yesteryear once again presents itself on the waters of the Rideau at Long Island Locks this Saturday. Situated on the Rideau River just north of Manotick, this event will feature classic mahogany boats such as Chris Craft and a other classics. This is a rare chance to see a collection of these gorgeous boats in one place. Admission is free and opens from 9am-4pm.

_

Andrew King , artist _

** Saturday, August 11: Ice Cream festival at the Canada Agriculture Museum **

Just the name makes you crave for cold dairy! The Canada Agriculture Museum is hosting the Ice Cream Festival with an educational twist. Get the scoop this Saturday!

_

Juliette Giannesini , aka Zhu, photographer _

_ (also recommended by Sara-Lynne Levine, Ottawa Capital Region Macaroni Kid )

_ ** Saturday, August 11: Art in the Park **

Wonderful local artists in beautiful Strathacona Park. What more could you ask for? 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Free Admission, BBQ, Refreshments, Silent Auction… Well then! [

](http://www.website.com/) _

Laura Nicol _

** Saturday, August 11: Casino du Lac-Leamy Sound of Light (United States)

Wednesday, August 15: Casino du Lac-Leamy Sound of Light (China) **

The 17th edition of the Casino du Lac-Leamy Sound of Light fireworks festival continues this Saturday featuring the Pyro Spectaculars team representing the United States and on Wednesday with the team from Dancing Fireworks respresenting China. In addition to some world-class fireworks, there are lots of activities throughout the site and shows on the Tim Hortons stage. The site opens at 6pm, the fireworks start around 9:30pm and everything wraps up at 11pm. _

Gordon Dewis aka KeeperOfMaps _

**

** ** Saturday-Sunday, August 11-12: All In Good Taste **

Ottawa sure seems like festival city and there will be a new one this fall called the Arboretum Music and Arts Festival (http://arboretumfestival.com/). This weekend, There will be events at both Town and Victoire to raise money for this new venture. Bopth locations will have music and giveaways.

_

Ryan Bresee , host of CKCU’s Whatever’s Cool With Me _

**

** ** Saturday-Sunday, August 11-12: Puppets Up! **

Puppets take over Almonte this weekend for this yearly festival. The people of Almonte are obsessed with puppets, in a good way. We went for the first time last year and were totally impressed.

There’s a daily parade, performances from international puppetteers all day, a cabaret show for grown-ups, and surprises all along main street.

_

Glen Gower , Editor/Owner of OttawaStart.com _

** Even more events this weekend: **

 * 
[
 Style in the City: Modern Chic
](http://ottawastart.com/story/17488.php)
, August 9

 * 
[
 Winchester Dairy Fest
](http://www.winchesterdairyfest.com/)
, August 9-12

 * 
[
 Navan Fair
](http://ottawastart.com/story/17495.php)
, August 9-12

 * 
[
 Fortissimo on Parliament Hill
](http://ottawastart.com/story/17241.php)
, August 9-11

 * 
[
 South Asian Festival
](http://ottawastart.com/story/17496.php)
, August 10-11

 * 
[
 Movie Night Under the Stars in Manotick
](http://ottawastart.com/story/17483.php)
, August 11

 * 
[
 Urban Wild Tour
](http://ottawastart.com/story/17479.php)
, August 11

 * 
[
 Monster Energy Motorcross Nationals
](http://ottawastart.com/story/17444.php)
, August 12

** Have a great week!

**

**

** ** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide

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